Toronto stocks were modestly higher Friday, as energy stocks climbed and tech issues got a lift from news that Nortel Networks will report delayed third-quarter results after the close.

At midday, the S&P/TSX composite index was up 7.63 points or 0.08%, at 9,785.83. Volume was 173 million shares.

Seven of the 10 TSX groups were higher, although none were up as much as 1%.

The energy group advanced 0.12% as oil prices rose once again. A barrel of light crude was quoted at US$56.60, up 20¢, on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

First Calgary rose 67¢, or 3.11%, to $22.20, while Ensign Resource Service Group Inc. climbed 30¢, or 1.10%, to $27.65.

Information technology stocks were up 0.57%. Tech bellwether Nortel said will file its delayed third-quarter results after markets close on Friday.

Shares of Nortel, , were up 11¢, or 3.19%, at $3.56. Research In Motion gained $2.13, or 2.18% to $99.68.

Friday’s gains were offset by declines in the heavily weighted financials groups and in the gold sub-index.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index was up 20.06 points, or 1.02%, at 1,987.35.

In New York, stocks were mixed in very heavy trading Friday as oil prices extended their advance and investors rebalanced their portfolios due to a reshuffling of the S&P 500.

The index was rebalanced to more accurately reflect the number of shares of each company available in the market.

At midday, the Dow Jones industrial average was off 5.91, or 0.06%, to 10,620.44.

Broader stock indicators lost ground. The S&P 500 was down 2.02, or 0.17%, at 1,188.19, and the Nasdaq composite index lost 5.29 points, or 0.26%, to 2,011.13.